Hands-free retractable accessory holder

ABSTRACT

A hands-free retractable accessory holder device including a holder member, an extendible arm member, a housing unit and an attachment member. The holder member is for holding the accessory and includes a gripping mechanism for enclosing the accessory. The extendible arm member has an adjustable length and includes a plurality of non-bendable sections and a plurality of bendable sections which collectively form a support structure for extending the accessory enclosed by the holder member to a hands-free viewable position to a wearer of the device. The arm member is connected to the holder member at a distal end and is connected to a housing unit at a proximate end. The housing unit includes a cavity for receiving and storing the extendible arm member in a retracted position. The attachment member attaches the device to the wearer so that an accessory enclosed by the holder member is held by the device in a hands-free manner, and the attachment member is fixedly attached to an external surface of the housing unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein generally relate to a storage device for an accessory, and more particularly to a hands-free storage device for an accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

iPads and tablet devices are quite useful as mobile computers and phones, given their vast applications and popularity. However, holding them for long periods of time can be challenging, particularly since holding the devices with the viewer's hand(s) requires the viewer to hunch over to view the content on the device's screen. The ability to view the content on the device's screen without having to physically hold the device in the viewer's hand is very beneficial. It would allow for the viewer to be able to maintain good posture. Moreover, with all the people walking around not knowing what's going on around them, this would allow for the capability to look around without your hands tied to your device. Hence, it is desirable to provide a hands free accessory holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and appended claims, and by referencing the following drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary view of a hands-free retractable accessory holder device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein describe a hands-free retractable accessory holder device including a holder member, an extendible arm member, a housing unit and an attachment member. The holder member is for holding the accessory and includes a gripping mechanism for enclosing the accessory. The extendible arm member has an adjustable length and includes a plurality of non-bendable sections and a plurality of bendable sections which collectively form a support structure for extending the accessory enclosed by the holder member to a hands-free viewable position to a wearer of the device. The arm member is connected to the holder member at a distal end and is connected to a housing unit at a proximate end. The housing unit includes a cavity for receiving and storing the extendible arm member in a retracted position. The attachment member attaches the device to the wearer so that an accessory enclosed by the holder member is held by the device in a hands-free manner, and the attachment member is fixedly attached to an external surface of the housing unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, the arm member has a telescopic antenna like structure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the arm member is retracted by compressing the telescopic antenna structure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the non-bendable sections and bendable sections of the arm member are small extension pieces that slide into each other.

In some exemplary embodiments, the arm member is retracted by sliding the small extension pieces into each other.

In some exemplary embodiments, the accessory is at least one from the group comprising a smartphone, a tablet, a book.

In some exemplary embodiments, a companion member is attachable to a book accessory to assist in keeping the book open to a desired page.

In some exemplary embodiments, the attachment member is a clip mechanism.

In some exemplary embodiments, the gripping mechanism is a squeeze style on a spring.

Other exemplary embodiments disclosed herein describe a hands-free retractable accessory holder device including a holder member, an extendible arm member, a housing unit and an attachment member. The holder member is for holding the accessory and includes a gripping mechanism for enclosing the accessory. The extendible arm member is a support structure for extending the accessory enclosed by the holder member to a hands-free viewable position to a wearer of the device. The arm member is connected to the holder member at a distal end and is connected to a housing unit at a proximate end. The housing unit includes a cavity for receiving and storing the extendible arm member in a retracted position. The attachment member attaches the device to the wearer so that an accessory enclosed by the holder member is held by the device in a hands-free manner, and the attachment member is fixedly attached to an external surface of the housing unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, the housing unit includes a spool for storing the arm member in a retracted position.

In some exemplary embodiments, the arm member is retracted using a snake drain mechanism.

In some exemplary embodiments, the housing unit includes a locking mechanism for locking the arm member at a desired elongated position when the arm member is extended.

In some exemplary embodiments, the housing unit has a tape measure like structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a hands-free retractable accessory holder device (“the device”). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a holder member 12, an extendible arm member 14, a housing unit 16 and an attachment member 18. The holder member 12 attaches to an accessory 11 and retains the accessory by way of a gripping mechanism until the accessory is removed by a user. An accessory can be anything that is typically held in the hand of the user during utilization, such as, for example, a smartphone, tablet, book, etc. The terms “user” and “wearer” have been used herein interchangeably.

The gripping mechanism may be any suitable mechanism that latches onto the accessory such that the accessory is contained by the mechanism until the accessory is physically removed. Exemplary gripping mechanisms are squeeze style hardware on a spring, pinch style hardware, clasps, insert style hardware and phone case style hardware. The insert style hardware is accessory (i.e., smartphone or tablet) specific, with or without a case on the accessory. The phone case style hardware is used with a smartphone accessory and allows the user to have the option to hold the device only or to securely mount the phone to the device assemble; this option can be used as a combination accessory holder, holster, and a hands-free accessory holder. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping mechanism is a squeeze style hardware on a spring which can include, for example, two frame members which are pulled apart to insert the accessory and which tighten (compress) to the device 10 when the accessory is removed.

The extendible arm member 14 has an adjustable length and may be configurable in a retracted position (i.e., compressed within the housing unit) or an expanded position (as shown in FIG. 1). The arm member is connected to the holder member 12 at a distal end 13 and is connected to a housing unit 16 at a proximate end 15. The arm member is a support structure for extending the accessory attached to the holder member 12 to a hands-free viewable position to a wearer of the device. Essentially, the arm member is extended to a user selected elongated position where the user can comfortably view/utilize the accessory in a hands-free manner.

The arm member 14 may include a plurality of non-bendable sections and a plurality of bendable sections that collectively form the support structure. The non-bendable sections may be made from any suitable material that is rigid and strong, such as, for example, metal. The bendable sections may be made from any suitable material that is flexible and sturdy, such as, for example, a bendable metal. The flexible metal sections may be interlocked with the non-flexible metal sections, thereby providing a flexible and rigid arm member.

The arm member 14 may be retracted or extended by way of a retraction and extension mechanism, such as, for example, telescopic retraction and extension. The arm member may have telescopic arm member sections with antenna properties where the arm member sections fit inside one another in a retracted position similar to an antenna structure. When the user wants to extend the arm member, the user pulls the inner most section out from the other sections and stretches out the remaining sections until the desired arm member length is obtained. When the user wants to retract the arm member, the user slides the sections into one another.

In another exemplary embodiment, the arm member sections have small extension telescopic pieces that slide into each other. In this configuration, the arm member 14 may be retracted and extended in a similar fashion as the antenna-like telescopic retraction and extension.

The housing unit 16 has a cavity for receiving and storing the arm member 14 in a retracted position. The housing unit may be made from any suitable material and may be of any size suitable for affixing to a wearer.

The attachment member 18 is fixedly attached to an external surface of the housing unit 16. The attachment member attaches to the wearer so that an accessory enclosed by the holder member 12 is held by the device in a hands-free manner. The attachment member may attach to the wearer's clothing, belt, or any other suitable item that the wearer is wearing. The attachment member may be made from any suitable hardware mechanism. Exemplary hardware mechanisms may include a plastic clip, a suction cup, a magnetic fastener, a pocket insert, or any other mechanism that may latch on to the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment member 18 is a clip.

The device 10 may include a companion member that is attachable to a book accessory to assist in keeping the book open to a desired page. The companion may be a rod that splits the book open to a desired page. An extendable platform may be needed to assist the holding of heavier books. The extendable platform may be attached directly to the device assembly. A companion member may be also be used with an iPad accessory. A rod may be used to secure attachment of iPad to the device.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the arm member 14 is made from a strong flexible material that is suitable for spooling. The strong flexible material may be, for example, a bendable metal. The housing unit 16 may have a tape measure like structure and include a spool for storing the arm member in a retracted position and a locking mechanism for locking the arm member at a desired elongated position when the arm member is extended. The arm member may be retracted by any suitable mechanism, such as, for example, a spring mechanism, snake drain, scissor effect, accordion style, or any other mechanism suitable to re-spool the arm member after is has been extended.

Although exemplary embodiments herein have been described as attaching the device 10 to the wearer. In alternative embodiments, the device 10 may be mounted to a wall or a table.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.)

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments of this invention have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hands-free retractable accessory holder device comprising: a holder member for holding the accessory, the holder member including a gripping mechanism for enclosing the accessory; an extendible arm member having an adjustable length, the arm member including a plurality of non-bendable sections and a plurality of bendable sections which collectively form a support structure for extending the accessory enclosed by the holder member to a hands-free viewable position to a wearer of the device, the arm member is connected to the holder member at a distal end and is connected to a housing unit at a proximate end; a housing unit including a cavity for receiving and storing the extendible arm member in a retracted position; and an attachment member for attaching the device to the wearer so that an accessory enclosed by the holder member is held by the device in a hands-free manner, and wherein the attachment member is fixedly attached to an external surface of the housing unit.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the arm member has a telescopic antenna like structure.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the arm member is retracted by compressing the telescopic like antenna structure.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the non-bendable sections and bendable sections of the arm member are small extension pieces that slide into each other.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the arm member is retracted by sliding the small extension pieces into each other.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the accessory is at least one from the group comprising a smartphone, a tablet, a book.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a companion member attachable to a book accessory to assist in keeping the book open to a desired page.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is a clip mechanism.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripping mechanism is a squeeze style on a spring.
 10. A hands-free retractable accessory holder device comprising: a holder member for holding the accessory, the holder member including a gripping mechanism for enclosing the accessory; an extendible arm member having an adjustable length, the arm member providing a support structure for extending the accessory enclosed by the holder member to a hands-free viewable position to a wearer of the device, the arm member is connected to the holder member at a distal end and is connected to a housing unit at a proximate end; a housing unit including a cavity for receiving and storing the extendible arm member in a retracted position; and an attachment member for attaching the device to the wearer so that the accessory is held by the device in a hands-free manner, wherein the attachment member is fixedly attached to an external surface of the housing unit.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the housing unit includes a spool for storing the arm member in a retracted position.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the arm member is retracted using a snake drain mechanism.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the housing unit includes a locking mechanism for locking the arm member at a desired elongated position when the arm member is extended.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the housing unit has a tape measure like structure. 